| Author: bharath 19 Jul 2008 | Member Level: Silver | Rating:  Points: 0 |
Sankranthi, or Sankranti
(Sanskrit: ??? ?????????? , is a festival that signifies the beginning of the harvest season for the farmers of Indian Sub-Continent. This is a harvest festival celebrated not only all over India but other South East Asian Counties as well.
Makara Sankranti has special geo-agri-economical significance to people of Indian Sub-Continent. Makara Sankaranti is about transition of Sun into Capricorn on its celestial path.(Sankarnti being Sanskrit for transition ). This is significant considering Winter Solstice marking gradual increase of duration of day. Also traditionally this has been one of many (considering vastness of land and climatic variation ) harvest days.
The day on which the sun begins its journey northwards is referred to as Makara Sankranti. Sankramana means "to commence movement" and hence the name Makara Sankranti given to one of the largest, most auspicious, but varied festivals in the Indian subcontinent. It usually falls in the middle of January. Because of the geography and size of India, this festival is celebrated for innumerable reasons depending on the climate, agricultural environment, cultural background and position in the context of north or south of India.
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| Author: Ankit 19 Jul 2008 | Member Level: Gold | Rating:  Points: 4 |
Hi Raji.R. I have always liked Diwali and it is one of my favorite festivals after Holi. It is the time for even the elderly to rejoice. Well sometimes it is dangerous to play with fireworks. I love the night of Diwali, there is light everywhere in the city and the fireworks are always brilliant in the City of Joy.
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| Author: Syed 23 Jul 2008 | Member Level: Diamond | Rating: Points: -20 |
Here is a Information from Tamil candian
The celebration of the four-day festival commences on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdasi and would conclude on Kartika Shudda Vijiya. The first day of the festival Naraka Chaturdasi marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. According to puranas Naraka, the son of Bhudevi,acquired immense power as a blessing from Lord Brahma after a severe penance. He soon unleashed a reign of terror in the kingdom of Kamarupa, harassing the lestial beings with his invincible might. Unable to bear the tyranny of the demon, the celestial beings pleaded with Lord Krishna to save them from his torture.
But Naraka could not be easily killed as he had a boon that he could face death only at the hands of his mother Bhudevi. So, Krishna asks his wife Satyabhama, the reincarnation of Bhudevi, to be his charioteer in the battle with Naraka.
When Krishna feigns unconciousness after being hit by an arrow of Naraka, Satyabhama takes the bow and aims the arrow at Naraka and kills him instantly. Later Lord Krishna reminds her of the boon she had sought as Bhudevi. The slaying of the Naraka by Sathyabhama could also be taken to interpret that parents should not hesitate to punish their children when they stray on to the wrong path. The message of Naraka Chaturdasi is that the good of the society should always prevail over one's own personal bonds.
The second day is Amavasya when Lakshmi puja is performed and is believed that on this day Goddess Lakshmi would be in her benevolant mood and would fulfill all the wishes of her devotees. One version says that it was on this day Goddess Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagara when the Gods and demons were churning the sagara for Amrutha Bhandam.
Another version is that when Lord Vishnu in the guise of Vamana, sought three feet of land from the very generous king Bali Chakravarthy, Bali had to surrender his head as Vamana had conquered the earth and the sky in His two strides. Lord Vishnu banishes Bali into the Pathala Loka by keeping his third stride on Bali's head. Later, pleased by his generosity, Lord Vishnu grants him a boon and he inturn requests the Lord to guard his palace at Patha Loka.
Meanwhile, the Goddess is unable to bear the separation and her grief affects the functioning of the entire universe. Brahma and Lord Shiva offer themselves as guards and plead with Bali to relieve Vishnu. So, on the Amavasya day Lord Vishnu returns to his abode and Goddess Lakshmi is delighted. That is the reason it is believed that those who worship Goddess Lakshmi on this day would be bestowed with all the riches.
The third day is "Kartika Shudda Padyami" and it is only on this day that Bali would come out of Pathala Loka and rule Bhuloka as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu. Hence, it is also known as "Bali Padyami".
The fourth day is referred to as "Yama Dvitiya" and on this day the sisters invite their brothers to their homes.
However, in the northern part of India it is celebrated as the return of Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana from his 14 years of exile after killing Ravana. To commemorate his return to Ayodhya, his subjects illuminated the kingdom and bursted crackers. For the Gujaratis, Marwaris and other business community Diwali marks the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and also the begining of the new financial year.
For Bengalis, it is the time to worship Goddess Kali or Durga. The Goddess Durga continued her "Vilaya Tandava" even after killing the demon Mahishasura. To control her rage Lord Shiva throws himse
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| Author: m.v. subba raju 23 Jul 2008 | Member Level: Diamond | Rating: Points: 6 |
Hi friends,
Here is one story why we celebrate Diwali is Lord Krishna and Satyabhama killed Narakasura. Narakasura was very dangerous rakshasa. He has given trouble to many peope. People have celebrated the happy moment i.e. the death of Narakasura. Narakasura used to punish the people if they put lights. So, on his death people were so happy and every body has put more and more lights. They have celebrated so nicely it as festival. That practice is being continued. On every Diwali people will celebrate with fireworks. So, a saying was continuing that the people who does not celebrate with lights the rakshasa narakasura will come to them. Hence, it is being celebrated.
I like this festival. People will be so happy on this day.
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| Author: ishwar 17 Sep 2008 | Member Level: Silver | Rating: Points: 6 |
On every Diwali people will celebrate with fireworks.
People have celebrated the happy moment i.e. the death of Narakasura.
Narakasura used to punish the people if they put lights. So, on his death people were so happy and every body has put more and more lights.
Here is one story why we celebrate Diwali is Lord Krishna and Satyabhama killed Narakasura.
Narakasura was very dangerous rakshasa. He has given trouble to many peope.
Because of the geography and size of India, this festival is celebrated for innumerable reasons depending on the climate, agricultural environment, cultural background and position in the context of north or south of India.
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